Danny Welbeck, 23, was allowed to join Arsenal in a deal reportedly worth £16 million ($26.6 million, 20.2 million euros).

Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham told the BBC on Tuesday that he was "sad" to see home-grown striker Danny Welbeck leave the club for their Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Welbeck, 23, was allowed to join Arsenal in a deal reportedly worth Â£16 million ($26.6 million, 20.2 million euros) on Monday after United agreed to sign Colombia striker Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan from Monaco.

"He (Welbeck) has been there since he was eight. His heart was in Manchester," said Beckham, who graduated from the United youth team in the mid-1990s before establishing himself at Old Trafford.

"I am sure he is obviously sad to leave Manchester United. Arsenal have a very good, young, talented English player, but to see him leave Manchester United, as a Manchester United fan, is obviously sad."